Read Player (What Happens on Campus Book 1) for Free Online Page B

pulled her forward. Together, they dove back into the house. It was less of a crush this time; people seemed to instinctively move out of Parker’s way and he easily made a path to the kitchen. Once there, they stopped in front of the kitchen counter, which had been transformed into a bar, and Chloe looked around for Riley. In her heels, she was even taller than usual and it was easy to see over the sea of heads.
    “I don’t see her,” she said anxiously, turning back to Parker to find him with a cup in each hand.
    “She can’t have gone far. Here, have a beer.”
    “I don’t drink.”
    “If you don’t like beer, I can get you something else. They’ve got whisky, vodka, gin…”
    “I don’t drink at all,” she interrupted as he listed the beverages on hand, that familiar sick feeling curdling in her stomach.
    If only she hadn’t drunk that night… If only she hadn’t had that one cider, would it have changed anything? Would she have reacted faster, would she have been able to swerve, to miss the other car, to save her brother’s life? She hadn’t been over the limit, she’d only had the one, the breathalyser had confirmed it. The court had decreed that it had been the other driver at fault, but Chloe still couldn’t help wondering, what if…?
    Clearly surprised, Parker put down one of the cups and shifted forwards slightly, as if to keep their conversation private. “Why?”
    Swallowing the lump in her throat, she lied, “I just don’t like the taste and I don’t see the point in drinking something I don’t like when all it’s going to do is give me a headache in the morning.”
    “Fair enough,” he nodded, though he didn’t look completely convinced, “I woke up with one of them this morning and it wasn’t nice.”
    Crossing her arms, she arched one eyebrow. “What, do you expect sympathy?”
    At least he had the good sense to look embarrassed, ducking his head and adjusting his red baseball cap, a nervous tell she was beginning to recognise. Clearing his throat gruffly, he wisely decided to change the subject, saying, “Why don’t we check the other rooms?”
    They found Riley in the main room, laughing among a group of other girls. When she caught sight of Chloe, she bounded over and grabbed her in a tight hug, exclaiming, “There you are! Now you’re here, let’s dance.”
    Without pre-empt, Riley dragged her into the centre of the room, where people were dancing to the loud music pouring from the speakers. It was hard to dance without any liquid courage, but Riley forced her to move and after a few minutes the music seeped into her bones and she began to enjoy it. Once she was in the moment, the movement came easily and, considering most of the people here were drunk already, she had nothing to be embarrassed about.
    She didn’t know how long they danced for, but by the time Parker appeared in front of her once more, she was breathing heavily and sweat tickled the back of her neck. “Here,” he pushed one of the cups he was holding into her hand, “it’s orange juice and I swear I didn’t roofie it because, hey,” he gestured to himself, “why would I need to?”
    Rolling her eyes, she left Riley dancing and moved off to the side of the room, so that she could take a sip without getting jogged. Her lungs felt like they were on fire, but dancing was fun! Setting her drink down on the windowsill, she dug in her bag for her inhaler and took a puff before replacing it.
    Leaning against the wall, close beside her, Parker reached out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You okay?”
    “Yeah,” she panted, smiling up at him, “just need to catch my breath.”
    “This might help,” he said, pushing open the window so that fresh air wafted into the clammy room.
    “Thanks.” After a minute of deep breathing, she flashed him another smile, before glancing over her shoulder to see that Riley was still dancing, but now she had some guy’s arms wrapped around her waist